EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2516 Dinner Delivered (Apr. 16, 2025)


2516 Dinner Delivered (Apr. 16, 2025)

Show Notes
“Dinner Delivered” is a guide for visually impaired individuals on using grocery and meal delivery services. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Kim Loftis Nova, who co-authored the book with Chris Grabowski Nova, about navigating platforms like Instacart, Shipt, and DoorDash. Kim shares her experiences using these services as well as practical tips for using them.

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2515 The Dark Room Podcast for Movie Lovers (Apr. 9, 2025)


2515 The Dark Room Podcast for Movie Lovers (Apr. 9, 2025)

Show Notes
Dive into the world of movies from a visually impaired perspective. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Alex Howard and Lee Pugsley, co-hosts of The Dark Room podcast, about what motivated them to start the podcast, their experiences at movie theaters, challenges with some audio description services, and improving theater accessibility.

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2514 Re-learning Life Skills After Vision loss (Apr. 2, 2025)


2514 Re-learning Life Skills After Vision loss (Apr. 2, 2025)

Show Notes
What does it take to relearn life skills after vision loss? Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Erich Manser about his experiences with blindness training programs, transitioning from magnification to screen readers, and finding value in non-visual techniques. Erich’s journey offers insights into overcoming challenges and learning new skills.

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2513 Arizona Vacation with PiccyBot and Be My Eyes (Mar. 26, 2025)


2513 Arizona Vacation with PiccyBot and Be My Eyes (Mar. 26, 2025)

Show Notes
Experience the vivid landscapes of Arizona as enhanced by detailed descriptions by AI. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey used various AI services like PiccyBot and Be My Eyes to describe their adventures in the Sonoran Desert, the Phoenix Botanical Garden, Sedona’s trails, and more. Explore how technology can enhance the visually impaired’s experience of nature.

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2512 Benetech Celebrates 25 Years of Making Books Accessible for Everyone (Mar. 19, 2025)


2512 Benetech Celebrates 25 Years of Making Books Accessible for Everyone (Mar. 19, 2025)

Show Notes
Benetech’s work has transformed how people with disabilities access information. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with founder Jim Fruchterman and CEO Ayan Kishore about the evolution of Bookshare, the use of AI in accessibility, the Global Certified Accessible program, and how Benetech’s efforts have impacted digital publishing and education.

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2511 Encore of 2201 The Dream Of A Lifetime (Mar. 12, 2025)


2511 Encore of 2201 The Dream Of A Lifetime (Mar. 12, 2025)

Show Notes
The MacArthur Fellowship is a $625,000, no-strings-attached award to extraordinarily talented and creative individuals as an investment in their potential. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Josh Miele, blind since childhood and one of the 2021 fellows, about how his work in the field of accessibility led to him receiving this special award.

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2510 Connecting Dots – A Blind Life (Mar. 5, 2025)


2510 Connecting Dots – A Blind Life (Mar. 5, 2025)

Show Notes
Joshua Miele is a MacArthur Award-winning accessibility expert who became blind at age 4. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with him about his new memoir “Connecting Dots – A Blind Life”, his experiences at UC Berkeley and how he came to work in accessibility, his shift from using a guide dog to a cane and how he hopes his book will reshape views on blindness.

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2509 Sedona Dave and His Awarewolf Gear Cane Lab (Feb. 26, 2025)


2509 Sedona Dave and His Awarewolf Gear Cane Lab (Feb. 26, 2025)

Show Notes
Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey’s Arizona vacation took an unexpected turn when Pete’s All Terrain Hiking Cane needed repair. Fortunately, Sedona Dave, designer of the cane, lived just a few minutes from their hotel. Inviting them into his “Cane Lab”, Dave not only repaired the cane, but also described the various canes offered by Awarewolf Gear.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2508 Biped Offers Enhanced Functionality with NOA (Feb. 19, 2025)


2508 Biped Offers Enhanced Functionality with NOA (Feb. 19, 2025)

Show Notes
The original Biped navigation device has been upgraded and renamed NOA. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Mael Fabien, co-founder and CEO of Biped AI, about NOA, a wearable AI device offering obstacle detection, navigation feedback, and real-time scene descriptions. They discuss the vest’s design, how it works, and the latest upgrades.

Uncategorized

2507 Stay Fit with Remote Fitness Coaching (Feb. 12, 2025)


2507 Stay Fit with Remote Fitness Coaching (Feb. 12, 2025)

Show Notes
Just because you are visually impaired doesn’t mean you can’t stay fit and healthy. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Evan Schwerbrock, founder of Cane and Able Fitness and the world’s strongest blind man, about his remote training approach, the importance of small steps in fitness, and his journey from vision loss to competing in adaptive strength events.

Uncategorized

2506 AppleVis and the Power of Community (Feb. 5, 2025)


2506 AppleVis and the Power of Community (Feb. 5, 2025)

Show Notes
AppleVis is a hub for visually impaired users of Apple products. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with David Nason and Scott Davert, members of the AppleVis editorial team, about the evolution of the platform, the resources available on AppleVis, the recent partnership with Be My Eyes, and the expansion to cover products outside of the Apple ecosystem.

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2505 A Crash Course in Confidence (Jan. 29, 2025)


2505 A Crash Course in Confidence (Jan. 29, 2025)

Show Notes
Want to kick start your progress to independence? Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Kurt Deichmann and Brian Clark of First Aid for the Blind about their innovative training program. The week-long remote sessions teach life-changing skills and provide vital tools to newly blind individuals, helping them quickly regain confidence and independence.

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2504 Checkmate – Anyone Can Play Chess (Jan. 22, 2025)


2504 Checkmate – Anyone Can Play Chess (Jan. 22, 2025)

Show Notes
Playing chess with vision loss? Why not! Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Glenn Crawford, Rita Crawford, and Marilyn Bland from the United States Blind Chess Association (USBCA). They discuss special equipment, correspondence games, and the challenges and rewards of the game. Learn about the USBCA’s resources and outreach programs.

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2503 Building Skills and Breaking Stigmas (Jan. 15,


2503 Building Skills and Breaking Stigmas (Jan. 15, 2025)

Show Notes
The Blind Institute of Technology (BIT) empowers people with disabilities through skill development, training, and career placement. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Kristy Schenderlein, Director of Operations at BIT, about their innovative programs, funding model, and the critical role of assistive technology in workplace success.

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2502 Encore of 1404 Life as the Partner of a Blind Person (Jan. 8, 2025)


2502 Encore of 1404 Life as the Partner of a Blind Person (Jan. 8, 2025)

Show Notes
Eyes On Success usually focuses on products, services and daily living stories for and about people with vision loss. This week’s episode covers what it’s like for a sighted partner of a blind person. We’ve been married for 41 years and he’s been blind since long before that. Nancy continues to learn what’s special about life with Pete.

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2501 Blind Not Broken – From the Other Side (Jan. 1, 2025)


2501 Blind Not Broken – From the Other Side (Jan. 1, 2025)

Show Notes
Lucy Edwards went suddenly blind just months into her relationship with Ollie Edwards-Cave when they were both in their teens. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Ollie about how he stood by her and supported her through years of struggles and depression. We also talk about Lucy’s book “Blind Not Broken” that details their experiences.

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2451 Google Leverages AI to Enhance Accessibility (Dec. 18, 2024)


2451 Google Leverages AI to Enhance Accessibility (Dec. 18, 2024)

Show Notes
Android is now more accessible with enhanced tools for the visually impaired, including updates to TalkBack, the Magnifier app, Lookout and Selfie Illumination. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Lisie Lillianfeld and Sejal D’Souza, product managers at Google, about these features, improvements in Chrome, and other AI-driven tools that make navigating the digital world easier.

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2450 Hilton and Be My Eyes Join Forces (Dec. 11, 2024)


2450 Hilton and Be My Eyes Join Forces (Dec. 11, 2024)

Show Notes
Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Nicole Bergstrom, Hilton’s Sr. Director of Digital Accessibility, about Hilton’s commitment to accessibility and inclusivity. Learn about their partnership with Be My Eyes, using Hilton staff or AI to assist visually impaired individuals and discover how Hilton is using technology to improve the guest experience for everyone.

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2449 Accessible Materials for a Spiritual Life (Dec. 4, 2024)


2449 Accessible Materials for a Spiritual Life (Dec. 4, 2024)

Show Notes
Accessible religious materials enable people to fully engage with their communities. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Livia Thompson from JBI and Malachy Fallon from Xavier Society for the Blind about how each organization produces materials in braille, audio, and large print to help visually impaired patrons participate in family and congregational events.

Uncategorized

2448 Guide to iOS 18 Enhancements for Accessibility (Nov. 27, 2024)


2448 Guide to iOS 18 Enhancements for Accessibility (Nov. 27, 2024)

Show Notes
Shelly Brisbin, a technology journalist and author, discusses the new revision of her book “iOS Access for All – Your comprehensive guide to accessibility for iPhone and iPad”. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Shelly about new features in iOS for blind and low vision users, including enhancements to braille keyboard, point and speak, hover typing, and Apple Intelligence.

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2447 Unseen – Life as a Blind Immigrant (Nov. 20, 2024)


2447 Unseen – Life as a Blind Immigrant (Nov. 20, 2024)

Show Notes
Pedro, a blind immigrant, recounts his journey toward education and a career in social work. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Pedro and Set Hernandez, director of the documentary “Unseen: Life as a Blind Immigrant,” which describes Pedro’s journey. They delve into the obstacles, anxieties, and challenges Pedro encountered along the way.

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2446 Encore of 1913 Two Blind Brothers Clothing Line (Nov. 13, 2024)


2446 Encore of 1913 Two Blind Brothers Clothing Line (Nov. 13, 2024)

Show Notes
Two Blind Brothers makes ultra-soft clothing from natural fibers for the sole purpose of funding blindness research and being part of finding a cure. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with brothers and founders Bryan and Bradford Manning, who are both blind, about how their company got started and what is special about their clothing line.

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2445 Shopping Made Simple with Innosearch AI (Nov. 6, 2024)


2445 Shopping Made Simple with Innosearch AI (Nov. 6, 2024)

Show Notes
Discover how Innosearch AI is revolutionizing online shopping for the visually impaired. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Patrick Long and Bryan Vuong, co-founders of Innosearch AI, about their AI-powered platform designed to make shopping easier and more accessible with a simplified interface and the ability to ask questions of the AI.

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2444 Encore of 1739 Running with a Remote Aira Guide (Oct. 30, 2024)


2444 Encore of 1739 Running with a Remote Aira Guide (Oct. 30, 2024)

Show Notes
Aira is a service developed to give the blind instant access to information using a smart phone, a video camera, and a remote sighted agent. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Erich Manser, a blind distance runner and triathlete, and Jess Jakeway, a sighted distance runner who served as Erich’s remote guide using Aira at the 2017 Boston Marathon.

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2443 Aira Anytime Anywhere (Oct. 23, 2024)


2443 Aira Anytime Anywhere (Oct. 23, 2024)

Show Notes
Learn how Aira is revolutionizing accessibility for the visually impaired with its blend of human interpreters and AI. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Everette Bacon, Chief of Blindness Initiatives, about Aira’s partnerships offering free services in many locations. Find out how Aira provides secure access to visual information anytime, anywhere.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2441 Finding Your Path to Financial Freedom (Oct. 9, 2024)


2441 Finding Your Path to Financial Freedom (Oct. 9, 2024)

Show Notes
Reaching your financial goals isn’t always easy and may be even more difficult if you have a disability. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Rachel Christian, the visually impaired founder of Unseen Wealth, about how she helps and coaches families with unique needs get control over their finances through personalized goal setting and education.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2439 From Pups to Partners – Raising Guide Dogs (Sep. 25, 2024)


2439 From Pups to Partners – Raising Guide Dogs (Sep. 25, 2024)

Show Notes
Learn what it is like to raise a guide dog. Hosts Nancy and Peter talk with Lauren Grimditch, Puppy Raising Field Manager for Guide Dogs for the Blind, and Jenny Truax, a dedicated volunteer. They discuss the journey of raising guide dogs, the responsibilities involved, and the rewarding experiences of volunteers who help shape these future heroes.

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2438 Leashed and Left Behind – Ending Rideshare Discrimination (Sep. 18, 2024)


2438 Leashed and Left Behind – Ending Rideshare Discrimination (Sep. 18, 2024)

Show Notes
Rideshare drivers often deny service to passengers with guide dogs despite company policies and laws protecting them. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Amy Salger, Alumni Engagement Manager at Guide Dogs for the Blind, and board member Melba Velez Ortiz about a survey by GDB highlighting the alarming rise in discrimination and the fight for accessible transportation.

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2437 For All Your Access Technology News (Sep. 11, 2024)


2437 For All Your Access Technology News (Sep. 11, 2024)

Show Notes
If you’re not familiar with Top Tech Tidbits or Access Information News, you might want to learn more about these informative newsletters and websites. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Aaron Di Blasi, Senior Project Management Professional for Mind Vault Solutions, about how they have come to be important resources for the access community.

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2435 AI Video Descriptions with PiccyBot (Aug. 28, 2024)


2435 AI Video Descriptions with PiccyBot (Aug. 28, 2024)

Show Notes
There are several AI tools that vision impaired people can use for describing scenes and photos to assist in their daily lives. PiccyBot is unique, however, in that it also has the ability to describe video content. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Martijn van der Spek, developer of the app, about how it works and its many customizable features.

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2434 Biking Beyond the Breaking Point (Aug. 21, 2024)


2434 Biking Beyond the Breaking Point (Aug. 21, 2024)

Show Notes
Hard as one might try, success in achieving one’s goal isn’t always guaranteed. When one misses the goal, however, the question is how one reacts to failure and what one learns from it. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Dave Wilkinson about these issues as they relate to his unsuccessful attempt to complete a 3,000-mile cross country bike race.

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2433 The Evolution of Benetech and Bookshare (Aug. 14, 2024)


2433 The Evolution of Benetech and Bookshare (Aug. 14, 2024)

Show Notes
Benetech has made it possible for people around the world who are blind, visually impaired, or print disabled to access printed books and educational materials. Hosts Nancy and Peter talk with CEO Ayan Kishore about the evolution of Benetech and Bookshare, and how they are using AI to enhance the accessibility of STEM content in their books.

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2432 Strike Up Some Fun By Bowling (Aug. 7, 2024)


2432 Strike Up Some Fun By Bowling (Aug. 7, 2024)

Show Notes
Participating in a sport can get you out meeting people, making friends, and staying healthy by being active. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Robert “Doc” Wright who has been a blind bowler for many years. He tells how the sport works for someone with vision loss and how you can find one of the many blind bowling leagues around the country.

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2431 All Ears on Deck with Storymore Audio Dramas (Jul. 31, 2024)


2431 All Ears on Deck with Storymore Audio Dramas (Jul. 31, 2024)

Show Notes
If you like listening to audio dramas then you’ll like Storymore. If you are a visually impaired creator you might even like being a contributor to help create a radio drama with others around the world. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with CEO Micah Thomas and SVP Tanja Milojevic about Storymore, its origins, how it works, and the content they produce.

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2430 Getting the Feel of the Game (Jul. 24, 2024)


2430 Getting the Feel of the Game (Jul. 24, 2024)

Show Notes
If you can’t see what is happening on the field, it is difficult to fully enjoy live sports even if it is being announced. But there might be another way. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Jerred Mace, CEO and co-founder of OneCourt, about how their unique technology enables blind users to enjoy watching live sports using a tactile display.

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2429 Your Meds Made Clear (Jul. 17, 2024)


2429 Your Meds Made Clear (Jul. 17, 2024)

Show Notes
Do you struggle to read prescription labels? If so, you should know that En-Vision America partners with many pharmacies to provide talking prescription labels as well as labels in braille or large print at no additional cost to you. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Jenna Reed, marketing director at En-Vision America, about the service and how it works.

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2427 Blind Not Broken – A Journey from Darkness to Determination (Jul. 3, 2024)


2427 Blind Not Broken – A Journey from Darkness to Determination (Jul. 3, 2024)

Show Notes
Lucy Edwards is an English influencer, disability activist, and journalist. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Lucy about her new book “Blind Not Broken” in which she shares her inspiring journey of adapting to vision loss during her teenage years, her struggles, triumphs, and how she emerged successful and content.

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2426 Behind the Scenes – The Art of Audio Description (Jun. 26, 2024)


2426 Behind the Scenes – The Art of Audio Description (Jun. 26, 2024)

Show Notes
Dive into the world of live performance through the eyes of an audio describer. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Amy Ogden, an audio describer for live theater and ballet. Amy shares insights from her training and highlights the importance of precise descriptions and supplementary background material in enhancing the live performance experience.

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2425 Bringing a New Dimension to Audio Description (Jun. 19, 2024)


2425 Bringing a New Dimension to Audio Description (Jun. 19, 2024)

Show Notes
The Miners Alley Performing Arts Center offers audio described performances with a twist: a tactile tour backstage before each described show! Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Executive Director Lisa DeCaro and Patron Services Manager Amy Arpan about their audio description service and get a tactile tour from Production Stage Manager Lexi Holtzer.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2424 Guiding Emily – A Story of Loss and Resilience to Rediscovery (Jun. 12, 2024)


2424 Guiding Emily – A Story of Loss and Resilience to Rediscovery (Jun. 12, 2024)

Show Notes
The Guiding Emily series of books tells the story of how a woman who is suddenly blinded adjusts to life coping with divorce, pressures of a professional career, family relations, and more. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with author Barbara Hinske about the inspiration for the series and how the first book in the series was turned into a movie.

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2423 Your Reading, Your Podcast, Your Way (Jun. 5, 2024)


2423 Your Reading, Your Podcast, Your Way (Jun. 5, 2024)

Show Notes
Listen Later transforms articles, websites, and written content into podcasts that you can listen to in your favorite podcast app. Simply e-mail a link or attachment and hear it read out loud in a natural voice! Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with founder Yalim Gerger to explore how Listen Later can change the way you consume information.

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2422 Low Vision Connections with CCLVI (May 29, 2024)


2422 Low Vision Connections with CCLVI (May 29, 2024)

Show Notes
The Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI) is an affiliate program of the American Council of the Blind. Their mission is to connect low vision individuals to share information, experiences, and fun. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey speak with members Christine Chaikin and Tom Frank about the group and the resources they offer.

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2421 Behind the Screen at NV Access (May 22, 2024)


2421 Behind the Screen at NV Access (May 22, 2024)

Show Notes
Development of the free and open source NVDA screen reader from NV Access began in 2006 and has served as a vital tool for blind people around the world. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Mick Curran, creator and co-developer, and Gerald Hartig, the newly announced CTO of NV Access, about how they plan to transition into the future.

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2420 Helping Improve Accessibility with Fable (May 15, 2024)


2420 Helping Improve Accessibility with Fable (May 15, 2024)

Show Notes
Fable was formed to assist large enterprises in improving digital accessibility for people with various disabilities. They do this by hiring disabled community members to test and provide feedback on web sites, applications, and products. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Shane Kehoe and Lynette Frison from Fable about the company and how you can join in.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2419 When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Pottery (May 8, 2024)


2419 When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Pottery (May 8, 2024)

Show Notes
With the right attitude, life’s unexpected adversities can sometimes open up new doors and opportunities. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Tim Clark who suddenly lost virtually all of his sight in one eye while at work one day. During his recovery, he discovered the joy of pottery and now creates tactile works of art that can be enjoyed by all.

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2418 Get Started On Starting Your Own Business (May 1, 2024)


2418 Get Started On Starting Your Own Business (May 1, 2024)

Show Notes
The Forsythe Entrepreneurial Center at The Chicago Lighthouse provides business startup educational workshops and certification programs for vision impaired people who want to start or run their own business. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Colleen Wunderlich, Vice President of Partnerships, about the Forsythe programs and how you can join.

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2417 Vacation Memories with Gemini and Bing (Apr. 24, 2024


2417 Vacation Memories with Gemini and Bing (Apr. 24, 2024)

Show Notes
Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey return home from their trip to San Diego and use AI to review photos they took while there. See how they used both Google’s Gemini and Microsoft’s Bing image description tools to reminisce about their visits to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, the San Diego Air and Space Museum, and evening walks along La Jolla beach.

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2416 On Vacation with Be My Eyes (Apr. 17, 2024)


2416 On Vacation with Be My Eyes (Apr. 17, 2024)

Show Notes
Come on a fun filled vacation with hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey as they tour sites in San Diego using the Be My Eyes app as their AI tour guide. In this episode they visit the Cannibal Museum, the Museum of Us, and the model railroad museum. See how they use Be My Eyes to enhance the experience with detailed descriptions of the exhibits and answer questions.

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2415 The Envision Glasses and Envision AI App (Apr. 10, 2024)


2415 The Envision Glasses and Envision AI App (Apr. 10, 2024)

Show Notes
The Envision Glasses and app feature real-time text recognition, voice controls, and hands-free video calling for people who are blind or have low vision enabling them to access everyday visual information for themselves. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Karthik Kannan, founder and CTO of Envision, about the glasses and the free to use Envision AI app.

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2414 Encore of 1845 Seeing the Stars His Own Way (Apr. 3, 2024)


2414 Encore of 1845 Seeing the Stars His Own Way (Apr. 3, 2024)

Show Notes
Astronomy is often thought of as based on visual observation. As it turns out most raw astronomical observations are not visible and must be transformed to be perceived by humans. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Morgan Rehnberg, a blind astronomer, about these issues in relation to those who are vision impaired and how he’s able to do his job.

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2413 Music Education for the Visually Impaired (Mar. 27, 2024)


2413 Music Education for the Visually Impaired (Mar. 27, 2024)

Show Notes
The Filomen M. D’Agostino Greenberg Music School (FMDG Music School) is committed to helping visually impaired people pursue their study of music. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Dalia Sakas, Director of Music Studies at the FMDG Music School, about the instructional programs, performances, and remote learning opportunities offered by the school.

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2412 RightHear Expands to More Venues (Mar. 20, 2024)


2412 RightHear Expands to More Venues (Mar. 20, 2024)

Show Notes
RightHear works with your smart phone to provide talking signage, so everyone can interpret and understand their surroundings in real time. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Idan Meir, co-founder of RightHear, about how this simple to use and easily implemented blue tooth solution works to assist visually impaired people in different venues.

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2411 Encore of 1244 Hiking the Appalachian Trail Solo (Mar. 13, 2024)


2411 Encore of 1244 Hiking the Appalachian Trail Solo (Mar. 13, 2024)

Show Notes
A long hike can be much more than a walk in the woods. We’ll talk with Karl Ritter, also known as Bats, about long distance hiking including his end-to-end hike on the 2200 mile long Appalachian Trail. Karl has very little vision and did the first 500 miles alone. Learn how he used other senses and tools to compensate as well as what was in his first aid kit.

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2409 A Community of Medical Professionals (Feb. 28, 2024)


2409 A Community of Medical Professionals (Feb. 28, 2024)

Show Notes
Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Andrea Lendaris, Bo (Kevin) Barley, and Silpa Tadavarthy about their experiences as visually impaired medical professionals and the impact that the Disability in Medical Mutual Mentorship Program (DM3P) has made in their training and careers. They discuss the community built by DM3P and the support it provides.

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2408 The Disability in Medicine Mutual Mentorship Program (Feb. 21, 2024)


2408 The Disability in Medicine Mutual Mentorship Program (Feb. 21, 2024)

Show Notes
The Disability in Medicine Mutual Mentorship Program (DM3P) is a grassroots organization that supports disabled healthcare professionals and trainees as they navigate the field of medicine. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with members Erin Jarrell and Suchita Rastogi about why and how the organization was formed and how its members benefit each other.

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2407 Biped – The Smart Mobility Aid (Feb. 14, 2024)


2407 Biped – The Smart Mobility Aid (Feb. 14, 2024)

Show Notes
Now the technology used in self-driving cars comes to a smart harness worn by the blind to warn of obstacles and assist navigating using a combination of GPS and audio feedback. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with co-founder and CEO Maël Fabien about the development of the Biped device, the technology behind it, and how it works.

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2406 From Science to Linguistics to Both (Feb. 7, 2024)


2406 From Science to Linguistics to Both (Feb. 7, 2024)

Show Notes
Sheri Wells-Jensen wanted to be a scientist when she was young. Unfortunately, being blind as well as female she was discouraged from pursuing such a career by those around her. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Sheri, now an Associate Professor of Linguistics, about her journey and how she was able to merge science into her career.

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2405 Making Space Exploration Accessible (Jan. 31, 2024)


2405 Making Space Exploration Accessible (Jan. 31, 2024)

Show Notes
Sheri Wells-Jensen is a fully blind Associate Professor of Linguistics at Bowling Green State University who spent six days with four crew members in a hermetically sealed habitat at Biosphere 2, learning about what it would be like living on Mars or the Moon. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Sheri about the experience and what was learned.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2403 Echo Heart Rate App for iOS (Jan. 17, 2024)


2403 Echo Heart Rate App for iOS (Jan. 17, 2024)

Show Notes
Using Voiceover to monitor one’s heart rate while running on a noisy treadmill wearing an Apple Watch and noise cancelling AirPods is difficult. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Alex Weiner, developer at PK Fitness, about how he added Siri commands to provide on demand speech feedback in their Echo Heart Rate app, as well as about their Fat Burn app.

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2402 Meet the Host – Nancy Goodman Torpey (Jan. 10, 2024)


2402 Meet the Host – Nancy Goodman Torpey (Jan. 10, 2024)

Show Notes
The microphone is turned around on Nancy Torpey this week when she is interviewed by Glen Gordon, Software Fellow at Freedom Scientific and host of the FSCast podcast. In this episode you’ll learn how Nancy became interested in science, how she and Peter met, her education and career as a female scientist in a male dominated profession, and more.

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2401 Meet the Host – Peter Torpey (Jan. 3, 2024)


2401 Meet the Host – Peter Torpey (Jan. 3, 2024)

Show Notes
Late last year, Glen Gordon, Software Fellow at Freedom Scientific and host of the FSCast podcast, interviewed Peter Torpey about his life and career as a blind scientist. In these excerpts from the FSCast episode you’ll learn how Peter became interested in science, how he and Nancy met, about his work in image science at Xerox, and more.

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2352 Turning the Tables on the Torpey’s (Dec. 27, 2023)


2352 Turning the Tables on the Torpey’s (Dec. 27, 2023)

Show Notes
Capping off the 13th year of Eyes On Success, Sam Jasmine, host of the Disability and Progress podcast, interviews hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey about their show. You’ll learn how Eyes On Success got started, the mission of the show, how it evolved over the years, how guests are selected, and what the show has come to mean for the Torpey’s.

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2351 Foresight Adventure Guides for the Blind (Dec. 20, 2023)


2351 Foresight Adventure Guides for the Blind (Dec. 20, 2023)

Show Notes
Foresight provides accessible and affordable outdoor recreation like skiing and snowboarding for individuals with blindness or low vision, promoting fun, safety, and independence. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with board member and guide Bill Murphy, board member and participant Kevin Foster, and blind skier Claire Schultz about the program and their experiences.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast, Uncategorized

2350 Uber – Making Movement Equal for All (Dec. 13, 2023)



2350 Uber – Making Movement Equal for All (Dec. 13, 2023)


Show Notes

Visually impaired people making use of a ride sharing service may have unique concerns such as the accessibility of the service, safety, accommodations for a guide dog, etc. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Briana Gilmore and Chris Yoon from Uber about how Uber addresses these concerns through its commitment to providing equal access to movement.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2349 Beyond Human Eyesight – AI and Visual Assistance (Dec. 6, 2023)


2349 Beyond Human Eyesight – AI and Visual Assistance (Dec. 6, 2023)

Show Notes
The Be My Eyes app now offers users their choice of whether to work with a sighted volunteer, an AI bot, or specific people in their own group of friends and family. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with founder and CEO Hans Jørgen Wiberg about the various options as well as recent privacy issues around facial description and recognition.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2348 Raising Awareness One Video at a Time (Nov. 29, 2023)


2348 Raising Awareness One Video at a Time (Nov. 29, 2023)

Show Notes
Lucy Edwards is a blind broadcaster, content creator, and disability activist living in the UK. One of her goals is to change how people see blindness. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Lucy about what motivated her to start her social media presence, how it led to a position with the BBC, and why she says she has her dream job.

Uncategorized

2347 iOS Access for All for iOS 17 (Nov. 22, 2023)


2347 iOS Access for All for iOS 17 (Nov. 22, 2023)

Show Notes
Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Shelly Brisbin, author of “iOS Access for All: Your Comprehensive Guide to Accessibility for iPhone and iPad”, about this valuable reference guide. Shelly discusses what can be found in the book and highlights features of interest including Point To Speak, customizing Voiceover voices, Personal Voice, and more.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2346 Desmos Tools for Mathematics (Nov. 15, 2023)


2346 Desmos Tools for Mathematics (Nov. 15, 2023)

Show Notes
Desmos Studios offers a variety of accessible software tools for working with mathematics including scientific and graphing calculators, a matrix calculator, and a new 3-D calculator. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Accessibility Specialist Stephen Clower from Desmos about how they came to make these tools accessible and about how they work.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2345 Tutorials for Using Band-in-a-Box with JAWS (Nov. 8, 2023)


2345 Tutorials for Using Band-in-a-Box with JAWS (Nov. 8, 2023)

Show Notes
Band-in-a-Box is a program that can be used to create complete professional arrangements of songs in almost any style by just typing in chords. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Gudrun Brunot about the tutorials she and Roy Robinson developed to help users navigate the myriad of features and enable them to effectively use the program with special JAWS scripts.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2344 Encore of 2020 Band-in-a-Box and the Updated JAWS Scripts (Nov. 1, 2023)


2344 Encore of 2020 Band-in-a-Box and the Updated JAWS Scripts (Nov. 1, 2023)

Show Notes
Band-in-a-Box from PG Music continues to evolve and introduce new features that are appealing to both professional and amateur musicians alike. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Tobin Frank, chief development officer at PG Music, about the program and how the scripts Peter developed make this program accessible with the JAWS screen reader.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2343 Skateboarding with a Pop, Grind, and Flip (Oct. 25, 2023)


2343 Skateboarding with a Pop, Grind, and Flip (Oct. 25, 2023)

Show Notes
Justin Bishop was fully sighted when he started skateboarding at 10 years old. Despite losing all of his useful sight in his 20’s, Justin’s dedication to skateboarding has been unwavering. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Justin about his passion for skateboarding and what accommodations he makes to enable him to excel at this active sport.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2342 Timecrest Fantasy Game for iOS (Oct. 18, 2023)


2342 Timecrest Fantasy Game for iOS (Oct. 18, 2023)

Show Notes
Jump Into the World of Fantasy with Timecrest. Get a chance to turn back time and save the world as the main character in the Timecrest fantasy game from Sneaky Crab. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Justin Ng, who co-founded Sneaky Crab with Lisa Gu, about how they made the game accessible with Voiceover and received an AppleVis Golden Apple award for Developer of the Year.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2341 Apple Accessibility – Making Tech For Everyone (Oct. 11, 2023)


2341 Apple Accessibility – Making Tech For Everyone (Oct. 11, 2023)

Show Notes
Apple works to make their products accessible to everyone by supporting vision, hearing, speech, motor, and cognitive disabilities in all of their devices. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Dean Hudson, an Accessibility Evangelist at Apple, about the range of accessibility features including the newly announced “Live Speech” feature and Personalized Voices.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2339 Accessibility of Amazon Products (Sep. 27, 2023)


2339 Accessibility of Amazon Products (Sep. 27, 2023)

Show Notes
Amazon is dedicated to making their devices and services not only user friendly but also accessible to everyone no matter what their individual challenges might be. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Peter Korn, director of accessibility for Amazon’s devices and services business, about how their design philosophy enhances the experience for all.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2338 The Tech Toolbox from Orbit Research (Sep. 20, 2023)


2338 The Tech Toolbox from Orbit Research (Sep. 20, 2023)

Show Notes
Orbit Research carries a wide variety of products suitable for students, professionals, and home use. These range from talking and graphics calculators to multi-line and graphical braille displays, to low vision magnifiers to braille computers. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Venkatesh Chari, President and CEO of Orbit Research, about their many offerings.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2337 Joining the ACB Community (Sep. 13, 2023)


2337 Joining the ACB Community (Sep. 13, 2023)

Show Notes
People with visual impairments may experience geographical and/or social isolation. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Cindy Hollis, Manager of Membership Engagement for the American Council of the Blind (ACB) about the many virtual community events that they host aimed at bringing people with a wide range of interests from around the world together.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2336 See the World the Way You Want with the ReBokeh App (Sep. 6, 2023)


2336 See the World the Way You Want with the ReBokeh App (Sep. 6, 2023)

Show Notes
Rebecca Rosenberg felt that none of the built-in accessibility features in her smart phone were designed to address her particular needs and vision disorder so she got to work. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Rebecca about how she started a company that developed an iOS app that helps her and others interact with and see the “real world”.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2334 Going Beyond the Words in Documents and Presentations (Aug. 23, 2023)


2334 Going Beyond the Words in Documents and Presentations (Aug. 23, 2023)

Show Notes
Creating impactful documents and presentations is important for connecting with sighted individuals in all walks of life. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Judy Dixon about her latest books, “Designing Documents for Appearance” and “The Power of PowerPoint”, that give tips on how those who are visually impaired can produce such material.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2333 The Sky Is the Limit – A Skydiving Adventure (Aug. 16, 2023)


2333 The Sky Is the Limit – A Skydiving Adventure (Aug. 16, 2023)

Show Notes
Zach Tidwell is a blind military veteran who enjoys a variety of physical activities such as snowboarding, ski biking, mountain biking, rock-climbing, white-water kayaking, jiu-jitsu, rafting, and recently, skydiving. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Zach about skydiving without sight and how it compared to skydiving before he lost his sight.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2332 Cracking the Code of Darkness (Aug. 9, 2023)


2332 Cracking the Code of Darkness (Aug. 9, 2023)

Show Notes
Zach Tidwell was a marine who lost all of his sight in an instant during a period of deep depression. Despite all odds, he quickly adapted to blindness and taught himself to code. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Zach about his incredible journey, the Zanagrams app he created, and his plans to develop future accessible apps for iOS devices.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2331 Encore of 1813 Outtakes from Eyes On Success (Aug. 2, 2023)


2331 Encore of 1813 Outtakes from Eyes On Success (Aug. 2, 2023)

Show Notes
They say that nothing is ever perfect. Fortunately, though, with a little extra work, most mistakes can be fixed. That even applies to the productions of Eyes On Success. Sit back and enjoy some laughs with hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey as they enjoy some Summer fun by sharing some humorous moments that never made it into the show.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2330 Navigating the Transition to Sight Loss (Jul. 26, 2023)


2330 Navigating the Transition to Sight Loss (Jul. 26, 2023)

Show Notes
In his new book “The Country of the Blind: A Memoir At the End of Sight”, author and audio producer Andrew Leland chronicles his slow progression from sightedness to blindness due to Retinitis Pigmentosa. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Andrew about the book, his transition through various stages of sight loss, and what he learned along the way.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2328 Accessibility of Google Android and G Suite (Jul. 12, 2023)


2328 Accessibility of Google Android and G Suite (Jul. 12, 2023)

Show Notes
Google continually introduces new features in their products to make them more accessible for people with disabilities. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Jyotsna Kaki, a blind Accessibility Analyst at Google about a number of the latest G Suite and Android OS features, designed to enhance the experience for visually impaired users.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2327 Preparing for Employment with Clusiv (Jul. 5, 2023)


2327 Preparing for Employment with Clusiv (Jul. 5, 2023)

Show Notes
Clusiv offers a screen-reader friendly, on-line training program aimed at providing blind clients with the skills to find meaningful employment. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Tamer Zaid, who recently went through the program, about how the program works, the courses he took, and how the skills he learned helped prepare him for the workforce.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2326 The Key to Being a Piano Technician (Jun. 28, 2023)


2326 The Key to Being a Piano Technician (Jun. 28, 2023)

Show Notes
Tuning and repairing pianos is a profession that can be enjoyable and rewarding even if one is blind. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Dewald van Deventer, a blind piano technician living in South Africa, about his musical background and training, as well as the ins and outs of his daily work traveling between several neighboring towns.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2324 Woodworking By Touch (Jun. 14, 2023)


2324 Woodworking By Touch (Jun. 14, 2023)

Show Notes
Dave Carlson was introduced to woodworking as a youth, watching and helping his dad in the shop. However, it wasn’t until losing his sight to RP in his 40’s and was inspired to make a toybox for his grandson that he took on this hobby in earnest. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Dave about his experiences as a blind woodworker and how it all works.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2323 Be My Eyes Virtual Volunteer (Jun. 7, 2023)


2323 Be My Eyes Virtual Volunteer (Jun. 7, 2023)

Show Notes
Be My Eyes is an app that connects blind individuals and their cameras to sighted volunteers for real-time assistance. Now the power of AI comes to the app with the addition of their “virtual volunteer” option. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with founder and CEO Hans Jørgen Wiberg about the power of this new feature and how it can be used.

EyesOnSuccess_podcast

2322 Blazing the Trails with Awarewolf Gear (May 31, 2023)


2322 Blazing the Trails with Awarewolf Gear (May 31, 2023)

Show Notes
Sedona Dave is blind and was tired of people not noticing him when walking around town and crashing into him. He also wanted a better and safer way of hiking the trails around him. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Dave about how he solved his problems by starting Awarewolf Gear a journey that was frustrating at times, but rewarding in the end.

A weekly half-hour podcast empowering the visually impaired with expert advice, personal stories, and the latest in technology and accessibility